The Medallic History of the United States of America Part 74

The Admiral of the Port, Sir Hewston Stewart, on hearing of our condition, kindly placed the Naval Hospital at our disposal, and at six o'clock the next morning we landed 63 of our sick. I then had to take coal and water on board, at Kingston, which detained us a part of three days. The ship being now disabled, three lieutenants and six engineers being sick, besides half the firemen and coal-heavers, and many of the most valuable of the men off duty, I shipped about 30 negroes, and agreeably to the recommendation of the surgeon, I deemed it advisable to proceed at once to a northern port.

The whole number of cases from the 17th March to 15th April was 155--85 of which were left at the Hospital at Port Royal, Jamaica. There remain on the list to-day 34 cases. We have had in all 16 deaths, among these was 1st Lieutenant Queen of the Marine Corps.

Lieutenant Howell and four engineers were left at the Hospital, doing, I hope, well.

Since leaving Port Royal we have had two deaths, and some addition to the number of cases, but generally on approaching a cold climate, all seem to improve and we have had no new cases for the last 48 hours.

I beg leave to forward three letters from Surgeon Pinckney, who was taken down in the commencement of the epidemic, also one from Pa.s.sed a.s.sistant Surgeon Maccoun, from whom I have received (p. 365) the most valuable aid, during this severe visitation. As I had but one surgeon left, and fearing he might also fall sick during the pa.s.sage home, I applied to Admiral Stewart for a medical officer, and previous to our departure from Port Royal, he sent us a.s.sistant Surgeon Rose, who kindly volunteered his services.

I cannot find words to express my sense of obligation to Admiral Stewart for the kind and prompt manner in which he placed the Royal Naval Hospital at our disposal, and furnished us with every convenience for landing the sick, nor to Dr. Kinnear, Deputy Medical Inspector, and the medical officers under him for their attention to the comforts of those placed under their charge.

I also take great pleasure in mentioning that Commodore Kellett and Captain Hay of the "Indus" came to offer their a.s.sistance with boats and cots to land the sick.

I have left instructions with Mr. Harrison, our Consul at Kingston, relating to the sick at the Hospital, and have drawn a bill on the Navy Department in his favor for $1500, to cover any necessary expenses that might occur until further instructions should be received from the Department.

I have only to add my great regret at being obliged to leave my station without instructions from the Department, but the circ.u.mstances of the case rendered it absolutely necessary.

I have the honor to be, &c., &c., Joshua R. SANDS, _Captain United States Navy_.

No. 70. (p. 366) PLATE LXXI.

_March 4, 1861--April 14, 1865._

Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, 1862.

PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

[_Sixteenth President of the United States of America._]

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1862. Bust of President Lincoln, facing the right. S. ELLIS DEL. (_delineavit._) SC.

(_sculpsit._) On edge of bust, PATENTED.

A civilized Indian is ploughing his field; his children are playing at ball; on a hill to the left is a log cabin; to the right, a church; beyond them, some ships and a steamboat on a river; in the background, mountains; above is an Indian scalping his enemy; below, the head of an Indian squaw weeping; on one side, a quiver of arrows; on the other, a calumet and a bow--opposition of civilization to savage life.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN was born in Hardin (now Larue) County, Kentucky, February 12, 1809. He settled in Illinois, 1830; was captain of volunteers in the Black Hawk war, 1832; member of the State Legislature, 1834-1841; was admitted to the bar, 1836; settled in Springfield, Illinois, 1837; was a member of Congress, 1847-1849; President of the United States (first term), 1861-1865; (second term), March 4 to April 14, 1865. He was shot by an a.s.sa.s.sin in Washington, April 14, 1865, and died the next day, universally lamented. He was known by the sobriquet of "Honest Abe" (_Abraham_).

No. 71. (p. 367) PLATE LXXII a.

_December 21, 1861, and July 16, 1862._

NAVY MEDAL OF HONOR.

A five-pointed star, tipped with trefoils, each point containing a crown of laurel and oak; in the middle, within a circle of thirty-four stars, America, personified as Minerva, stands with her left hand resting on the fasces, while with her right, in which she holds a shield blazoned with the American arms, she repulses Discord, represented with two snakes in each hand; the whole suspended by an anchor to two clasps united by a ribbon of thirteen stripes, paleways, gules and argent, and a chief, azure. On the platform: PAQUET F.

(_fecit_).

_____

ORIGINAL DOc.u.mENTS.

_Acts of Congress Inst.i.tuting Naval Medals of Honor._

SECTION 7. _And be it further enacted_, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and is hereby, authorized to cause 200 "medals of honor"

to be prepared with suitable emblematic devices, which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities during the present war, and that the sum of $1,000 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any money in the Treasury for the purpose of carrying this section into effect.

Approved December 21, 1861.

SECTION 10. Seamen distinguishing themselves in battle or by extraordinary heroism in the line of their profession, may be promoted to forward warrant officers, or acting master's mates, as they may be best qualified, upon the recommendation of their commanding officer, approved by the flag officer and the department. Upon such promotion they shall receive a gratuity of $100 and a medal of honor to be prepared by the Navy Department.

Approved July 16, 1862.

No. 72. (p. 368) PLATE LXXII b.

_July 12, 1862, and March 3, 1863._

ARMY MEDAL OF HONOR.

A five-pointed star, tipped with trefoils, each point containing a crown of laurel and oak; in the middle, within a circle of thirty-four stars, America, personified as Minerva, stands with her left hand resting on the fasces, while with her right, in which she holds a shield blazoned with the American arms, she repulses Discord, represented with two snakes in each hand; the whole suspended by a trophy of two crossed cannons, b.a.l.l.s, and a sword, surmounted by the American eagle, which is united by a ribbon of thirteen stripes, paleways, gules and argent, and a chief, azure, to a clasp composed of two cornucopias and the American arms. On the platform: PAQUET. F.

(_fecit_).

_____

ORIGINAL DOc.u.mENTS.

_Resolution and Act of Congress Inst.i.tuting Army Medals of Honor._

_Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress a.s.sembled_: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause 2,000 "medals of honor" to be prepared with suitable emblematic devices, and to direct that the same be presented, in the name of Congress, to such non-commissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities during the present insurrection, and that the sum of $10,000 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated for the purpose of carrying this resolution into effect.

Approved July 12th, 1862.

SECTION 9. _And be it further enacted_, That the President (p. 369) cause to be struck from the dies recently prepared at the United States Mint for that purpose, "medals of honor"

additional to those authorized by the act (Resolution of July twelfth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two), and present the same to such officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates as have most distinguished or who may hereafter most distinguish themselves in action, and the sum of $20,000 is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to defray the expenses of the same.

Approved March 3d, 1863.

No. 73. (p. 370) PLATE LXXIII.